Grilled ... Tony Abbott at a public forum at Knox Club in Wantirna today. Photo: Wayne Taylor

The Opposition Leader repeatedly hinted at conservative spending when peppered with queries about investment in everything from youth community groups to self-funded retirees, should he run the country.

"When you've got a $20 billion surplus, it's a lot easier (to spend generously) than when you've got a $50 billion deficit, and that's the problem," Mr Abbott told the forum, pointing to a drastic turnaround in budget results since Labor came to power in 2007.

A local orthodox priest in the audience voiced concerns that same-sex marriage would create social disorder and corrupt family values, and urged the coalition leader to tackle the issue.

Mr Abbott received the heartiest applause of the afternoon when he responded, restating his - and his party's - firm stance against same-sex marriage.

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Mr Abbott said that while he wanted a non-discriminatory society that encouraged stable relationships, marriage should remain between a man and a woman.

One man called on the coalition to outlaw the burning of the Australian flag, saying "it should be illegal to burn a national symbol".

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Mr Abbott said flag desecration should never occur, but said creating new legislation specifically against the practice was unnecessary.

When quizzed on his personal integrity, Mr Abbott said he had strived throughout his two decades in politics to be authentic, and that people should never allow things within their control to break their promises.

"I think I can put my hand on my heart and say I have done my damndest to be true to the things that I have stated I will do," he said.

Mr Abbott also used the forum to criticise the carbon tax, and to reiterate the coalition's policies on paid parental leave, flexible child care and a bipartisan approach to a new National Disability Insurance Scheme.